Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected cervical strain, citing current manifestations and lack of associated neurologic deficits or prostrating headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current 30 percent for status post right arm fracture with residual ulnar neuropathy.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical/thoracic strain, as the current evaluation does not include all necessary details and may be inadequate.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus, and the medical evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current low back disability or cervical spine disability/compression fracture and service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and an effective date prior to September 30, 2002.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine, Radiculopathy of the Left Shoulder/Arm, Headaches, Hypertension, and Corneal Abrasion of the Right Eye) meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined 80% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date determination due to incomplete information, including conflicting medical evidence regarding diabetes mellitus. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also being remanded as verification of his claimed in-service stressor needs to be made.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and hepatitis B were denied. The RO or AMC considered both former and revised schedular criteria.

The Board found that the effective date for the TDIU should be December 19, 2002, as this was the earliest date on which it could be factually ascertainable that the veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Board dismissed the appeal concerning the petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, as the veteran and his representative withdrew their appeal during a recent hearing. The only remaining issue is the left shoulder disorder.

The veteran's service connection claim for bilateral testicular atrophy is granted. The RO denied the claims for left shoulder, left arm, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities on the basis that there was no explanation of their origin during service.

The VA determined that the veteran's current cervical spine condition is not related to service or a service-connected disability, including his service-connected chronic low back strain.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's current back or neck disabilities to his active service, including a contusion during an altercation. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection regarding a psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need to verify the location of a claimed jeep accident during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and initial increased ratings for her right and left leg tibialis anterior shin splints, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spondylotic myelopathy with quadriparesis and the residuals of cervical laminectomy, as it was not related to any aspect of service. The veteran's current disability is considered a progression or aggravation of his pre-existing lumbar spine disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are service-connected, as they are likely due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during service.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar strain were incurred during service, while her foot fungus was not shown to be related to service. Other claims of service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.